Surrey’s City Centre Library has been granted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification in recognition of its environmentally sustainable features.
Some of the green elements found in the library include a green roof and water and energy efficiencies. The library also offers a “green education program” to educate visitors about how sustainability aspects were included in the building’s design.
The library, which opened in September 2011, was designed by Canadian architect Bing Thom.
“Achieving LEED certification was a requirement of the original design of City Centre Library,” said Councillor Bruce Hayne, chair, environmental sustainability advisory committee.
“Adding sustainable infrastructure and reducing our carbon footprint is considered in every decision-making process.”
LEED is a green rating system for buildings used to assess the environmental sustainability of their designs. It takes into account 110 points in seven areas, which include water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, design innovation and material selection.
In order to achieve Gold certification, the building must have between 60 and 70 of these design points. The highest status is Platinum, which must have 80 or more points. Vancouver’s Credit Suisse building under construction downtown is being built to platinum LEED standards.
Thom has worked on projects around the world including the Arena Stage in Washington, DC, and the masterplan for the City of Yuxi in China. He has also designed several buildings locally, including the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia.
